Swim meet always a learning experience for youngsters

The entry into the water off the starting blocks is always a key to a fast time in a swimming meet like the Sharks' Summer Open at the Shelby City Park Aquatics Center.

By Alan Ford

Published: Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 04:39 PM.

For individuals who are around swim meets regularly, it may not be noticeable.

But for youngsters ages 7-to-18 going to an out-of-town competition for the first time, it makes quite an impression.

When you walked on the ShelbyCityParkAquaticsCenter pool deck during the Summer Open that’s been going on this weekend, it’s hard to take in all aspects of the unique athletic scene unfolding in front of you.

First, it’s hard not to notice the bright-colored lane dividers in the pool. Then there’s the string of backstroke flags that stretch above the pool about 10 yards from each end to let the competitors know a turn is coming up.

The pool deck is, per usual, covered by the different-colored tents from the competing clubs. They allow the swimmers, some parents and team support personnel, some shade. They also are the vantage point for cheering teammates watching allies churn through the water in their specialty events.

The swim caps for the female competitors also jump out at you. They bear the name of ‘Sharks, Stars’ or a ‘G’ for Gators to display which team is represented by the swimmer.

There’s also constant activity around the pool. Besides the duties of the lifeguards, timers, scorers, judges, p.a. announcer, etc., the coaches burn up a path along the water’s edge, clipboards in hand.

They’re calling out the name of a particular swimmer they have in a contest, or just yelling ‘Go’ or ‘Breathe’ to a competitor doing the breastroke with their own voices staying in rhythm with the youngster as they bob up and down in the water plowing ahead.

Every second of instruction time is utilized. Various coaches talk to youngsters about their kicks, the motion of their hands or their turns just before they go to the starting blocks. Some handle that responsibility moments after the swimmer has completed an event and left the pool, hoping the lesson sinks in for the next event the youngster has scheduled.

As all this goes on, the times flash on the large scoreboard at the north end of the pool for each lane. It lets parents and coaches know how the races are unfolding.

Also, something else has become part of the process. The moment a youngster touches the wall to finish their swim, you can bet a family member or someone associated with their team is texting or tweeting away on a phone or I-pad to send the news along to others interested in the outcome.

More than 10 teams – from places like Columbia, S.C., Charlotte and Greensboro -- and 160 swimmers participating in this weekend’s event in Shelby. You can be sure each came away with their own memories – the highlights and the low – from their experience. And that’s what it’s all for anyway – helping each swimmer grow and be ready to make an even bigger splash in the next meet in which they compete.

For individuals who are around swim meets regularly, it may not be noticeable.

But for youngsters ages 7-to-18 going to an out-of-town competition for the first time, it makes quite an impression.

When you walked on the ShelbyCityParkAquaticsCenter pool deck during the Summer Open that’s been going on this weekend, it’s hard to take in all aspects of the unique athletic scene unfolding in front of you.

First, it’s hard not to notice the bright-colored lane dividers in the pool. Then there’s the string of backstroke flags that stretch above the pool about 10 yards from each end to let the competitors know a turn is coming up.

The pool deck is, per usual, covered by the different-colored tents from the competing clubs. They allow the swimmers, some parents and team support personnel, some shade. They also are the vantage point for cheering teammates watching allies churn through the water in their specialty events.

The swim caps for the female competitors also jump out at you. They bear the name of ‘Sharks, Stars’ or a ‘G’ for Gators to display which team is represented by the swimmer.

There’s also constant activity around the pool. Besides the duties of the lifeguards, timers, scorers, judges, p.a. announcer, etc., the coaches burn up a path along the water’s edge, clipboards in hand.

They’re calling out the name of a particular swimmer they have in a contest, or just yelling ‘Go’ or ‘Breathe’ to a competitor doing the breastroke with their own voices staying in rhythm with the youngster as they bob up and down in the water plowing ahead.

Every second of instruction time is utilized. Various coaches talk to youngsters about their kicks, the motion of their hands or their turns just before they go to the starting blocks. Some handle that responsibility moments after the swimmer has completed an event and left the pool, hoping the lesson sinks in for the next event the youngster has scheduled.

As all this goes on, the times flash on the large scoreboard at the north end of the pool for each lane. It lets parents and coaches know how the races are unfolding.

Also, something else has become part of the process. The moment a youngster touches the wall to finish their swim, you can bet a family member or someone associated with their team is texting or tweeting away on a phone or I-pad to send the news along to others interested in the outcome.

More than 10 teams – from places like Columbia, S.C., Charlotte and Greensboro -- and 160 swimmers participating in this weekend’s event in Shelby. You can be sure each came away with their own memories – the highlights and the low – from their experience. And that’s what it’s all for anyway – helping each swimmer grow and be ready to make an even bigger splash in the next meet in which they compete.